A Leader Worth Following

Our CEO explains why we're boycotting Utah too.

By Peak Design

February 8^th, 2017

Patagonia did a big thing yesterday. They decided to boycott Outdoor Retailer, the most important event in the outdoor industry.

They did this in response to the Bears Ears land conservation issue, the long and short of which is this: the state of Utah has been trying to protect this land, but there are multiple parties who have different desires for how this should be done. Their state congress had been working on legislation for 3 years, but unable to push it through, and the land has remained unprotected.

So, Obama came in and big-leagued 'em. He used an old law (the Antiquities Act) to create an executive order that set aside the land as a national monument, ensuring its protection against the expansion of oil and gas drilling, as well as unregulated recreational use.

As we've seen with our current president, executive orders tend to piss people off. They are polarizing actions, and should probably be avoided if and when possible. Unfortunately, the 50/50 split of our ridiculous two-party system means that little ever gets done in Congress.

In this case though, we feel that Obama got it right. And right now, the governor of Utah is doing his damndest to undo it, at least in part because of pressure from oil and gas companies that want to have a go at it down there.

This is where Patagonia comes in, and we like where their head is at. Like oil and gas, the outdoor industry has a voice too. But it's rare that there's an opportunity to use it effectively to create change.

We're going to join Patagonia in boycotting Outdoor Retailer shows in Utah, unless and until Governor Herbert stops fighting against the National Monument, or convincingly moves to protect the land through effective state actions. And we intend to get all our friends to join us.

Patagonia is leading the way for large business, and we sure hope that Arc'teryx, The North Face, Black Diamond, Columbia, and all the other big kahunas follow their lead. We'd love to inspire the hundreds of small companies that are closer to our scale to do the same, because if we all band together, it's actually going to sting. Plenty of states who do the right thing are ready and willing to take Utah's place. It's time for Governor Herbert to hear that message loud and clear.

Collectively, we are not a drop in the bucket. We're the whole bucket.

Peter Dering

CEO, Peak Design

Why take a stand?

It's worth noting that Peak Design has made it part of our mission to stand up for causes we believe in. That's why we are doing things like this. Gone are the days when businesses can simply lounge in the background of politics. We need to do what we can to fight for what we believe in.

Please hear this though...our aim is not to further create divide in this great nation. The last thing that will achieve positive change is a bunch of liberals shouting from the top of a soapbox on the Golden Gate Bridge. There are two sides to every controversy. Failure to empathize with both sides, prior to making decisions, is a critical error in communication.

We are great designers because we are great debaters amongst ourselves. The same passion and emotion that is found in politics is found in the Peak Design office as we argue about the merits, risks, opportunities, and unknowns that drive our world of design thinking. Design discussions are often heated. Polarized. Emotional. But at the end of the day it is always respectful. Everyone's voice is heard. Perhaps this is because at the end of the day, we all like each other.